Security in diplomatic zone reinforced amid global tensions: Home minister

Security measures in the diplomatic zone, including around the US embassy have been strengthened amid the ongoing global tensions, Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said today.

He made the remarks during a courtesy call by US Ambassador Brent T Christensen at Salahuddin’s office at the Secretariat, said a press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Salahuddin said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed alongside regular forces to bolster security in the diplomatic area.

He also said law enforcement agencies have been instructed to take precautionary measures.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed law and order and security issues, illegal migration, counterterrorism cooperation, the Special Programme for Embassy Augmentation and Response (SPEAR) aimed at enhancing security in the diplomatic zone and implementation of the Electronic Nationality Verification (ENV), among other issues of mutual interest.

At the outset, Salahuddin welcomed the ambassador and said the United States was a close ally of Bangladesh and had been working as a close partner in counter-terrorism and the security sector since the beginning.

Ambassador Christensen said the United States wanted to strengthen relations with Bangladesh.

He said the US was interested in implementing the SPEAR programme to consolidate security arrangements for the US embassy in Dhaka and the wider diplomatic area.

The envoy said a memorandum of understanding needed to be signed quickly for the programme, otherwise the US fund could be returned or shifted elsewhere.

Salahuddin said the government wanted to implement the programme soon with approval from the highest level.

Ambassador Christensen also congratulated Salahuddin on taking charge of his new portfolio.

On illegal migration, the ambassador said the United States wanted to implement the ENV programme in Bangladesh, adding that its implementation would bring Bangladesh into a “green zone” in the US immigration sector.

He said the US had long supported Bangladesh in counter-terrorism, adding that since 2010 it had trained around 30,000 Bangladesh police officers from investigating officer level to deputy inspector general (DIG) level and provided necessary equipment. However, he said the support had not yielded the desired results due to officers’ retirement and transfers.

Salahuddin assured the envoy of necessary steps and instructed relevant ministry officials to organise a meeting or workshop with stakeholders.

Among others, Joint Secretary Rebecca Khan of the Political-1 Wing of the Home Ministry, and US embassy officials Eric Geelan, Shane Sanders, Tanik Munir and Riley Palmertree were present at the meeting.